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While the world vra-vroomed around in Aston Martins,Lamborghinis and stretch Limos,hunting down baddies...

While this part of the country still seems stuck at the Mercedes,it might drive out more fashionably in the coming days

While the world vra-vroomed around in Aston Martins,Lamborghinis and stretch Limos,hunting down baddies,serenading gorgeous blondes and breaking a few hearts in the process,our own car lover decided not to be dazzled by the likes. Because down several generations,if there was one name that spelt class,and money (and lots of it) around here it would be a Mercedes. It didnt matter that the rest of the world was not exactly always swooning over it. Its not without reason that the only high-end car showroom that Kolkata had for a long time was that of a Mercedes while metros like Mumbai rolled out the red carpet for the Rolls Royce,the Porsche and the Bentley among others. Somehow,the concept of a Mercedes has become associated with the traditional idea of luxury in here, says Nilanjana Banerjee,a 23-year-old MBA student.

It also has to do with the fact that the Mercedes was among the first luxury brands that invaded the country,especially the East. And this part of the country has not quite caught up with luxury like metros in the other parts have. The luxury car scenario in Kolkata is finally looking up now. But it still has a long way to go to even match Delhi,Bombay or even Bangalore, says Abhishek Daga of Marks N Glix,who recently organised a roadshow of brands like the Volkswagen,Skoda,Mercedes,BMW and the Audi in the city. The roadshow showcased models like the Audi A4 and A6,BMW Series 3 and Series 5 apart from the Mercedes in the C,E and M classes. Predictably,the Mercedes M Class was the most expensive model displayed,given the citys predilection for the car. At Rs 65 lakh,the Merc also invited the most number of queries.

However,the city seems to be taking baby steps to an automobile makeover of sorts. According to Daga,the BMW showroom which opened less than a year back has sold nearly 103 cars in Kolkata compared to the 88 Mercs sold in the city last year. And very soon,the city might have its own Volkswagen showroom by the end of this month.

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